The Wilmingtonian., 1887-10-01
The Island OF UeIIgoIand.

Germany wants Heligoldnd from England
because the island is so near her territory
and also because its possession would nicely
round out her territory, give it the compact
un6roken geographical lines to which auy
well-ordered modern country is entitled ac-
cording to German ideas.
| What about the ancient western border
line of Germany-the Rhine-and the cas-
tern border line of France-the Rhine |
How would in Germany, in carrying out her
ideas of scientific frontier like 10 retrocede
Alsace and Lorraine to France, which terri
tories have been hers centuries while the
Fatherland Wore swaddling clothes. The
Rhine, despite all German blustsr. ia the
natural eastern boundary OF France both
historically and in the Beaconsfieldan sci
entitic frontier sense.
How would Germany like the equally CON
sistent statement that she retrocede Scbles.
wig Holstein to Denmark az, if that coun-
try's geographical conformation is TO be
considered at all its completeness of penin-
sular form, is marred by that rich slice out
of its southern neck robbed by Bismarck's
pickelhaubes. Were these shayngs taken
off Germany would have thoroughly seien-
tiiic frontier. She would then be almost a
paIallelograIn, affording truer continuity OF
direct linear border than with the present
uncompact outline.
If Germany wishes to fight England for
Heligoland, the best plan would be to do SO
right away. When the old Emperor dies
the effort will not be so easy. Internal dis
quiet would probably interfere with any for.
eign war of aggression with the exception of
any direction but that of France.
Were there fight it would be by sea and
not - land engagement. Under those cir.
cumstances the result would be problemati.
cal. Indeed it is difficult how even Bis
marck would be so hare-brain,d as TO at
tempt to 'unge his country into such reck.
less war.
Aud for these reasons France would i'm.
mcdiately take the opportunity to get back
Alsace and Lorraine. And Germany dare
not attempt to fight those two countries
while on the other hand Russia stands ready
to give her kick and very sound one from
behind
But, to le serious, there never was more
ridiculous canard sprung than that of the
lleligoland affair as casus 5eli between
Germany and England. 1t is easily under
stood that the former country would like TO
own the little spit of sand. But then there
are many things we all would like to have
but which VIC cannot have.
Also, if there is any country in Europe
against which there exits at tins moment
the possibility of a continental alliance it is |
Germany. France and Russia are her de- |
clared enemies, although from very different |
reasons, one just one, that of territorial |
spoiation, and the other the other the senti- |
ment of long-standng martial jealousy eked |
with long pent anger at Germany's opposi- |
tion to her eastern (Bulgarian) annexation |
schemes.
How suicidal then under these circum- |
stances would it be for Germany to initiate |
territorial war with England, and be COM |
PEELED to prosecute that war at sea, where |
her opponent would probably quickly over
Whelm her.
France, indeed, though violent hater of |
England would DO glad to see Germany in |
volved in just such an ENHANCEMENT. But It |
will not happen, at least now. Bismarck |
docs nothing foolish.